Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1887-02-11

1 away from the UoNh WcudAc W oui
| left the briny waters of that re-
markable body of water, Devils
Lake, and to the right, nine miles
away, Freshwater Lake, surround
| ing which is most excellent coun-
try well occupied by industrious
settlers. This lake, as its name
implies, is of pure, fresh water
and quite large, with a fine growth
of timber along its shores. Here
lis a favorite resort of the disciples
of the rod and gun. Geese, ducks
and brant are plenty in season,
aud the ruffeled grouse, or prairie
chicken, as they are called here.
are abundant at all times, as in
deed they are all over Dakota. We
soon come to Grand Harbor, a
thriving little village built since
1.-THE track was laid in June. The
country hereabout was about the
| first taken in the Devils Lake land
district, and is well settled. White
farm houses have already taken
the place of the tar paper shanty
and sod shack, and general ap-
pearance of solid thrift is observ-
able.
Arriving at Church Ferry, nine
teen miles from the lake, we leave
the cars and take private convey
ance, for though branch of the
Manitoba Railroad is graded to
Cando, the rails are not yet laid.
Soon, seated behind spanking
team, we are rapidly lessening the
seventeen miles between US and
our destination. One mile north
we skirt the shores of Lake Isabel.
body of water four and one-half
miles in length, and through
which the Big Coulee runs in time
of high water. Here are extern
sive natural meadows, from which
much hay is taken every year.
Three or four miles to the north
east is Lac Aux Morris, the Lake of
Death, so named from catastro-
phe, which, many years ago over
took a company of half breeds who
wintering on an island in the lake
ran short of provisions and perish
ed from starvation. Their graves
can now be seen hidden among the
tall grass which annually covers
the island. Strange that under
civilized dominion, this is now
one of the most prolific parts OF
the country for food production.
5 We are now in the midst of the
Big Coulee country, which has the
name Of being one of the best far
ming sections in the Northwest
and well does it deserve its repu,
: tation. The land spreads out il
t long, level lines, to the hmiDt oi
vision, and is, if possible, richer
than any we have yet seen. A ride
of two hours and we are at Cando
the capital of Towner County
We are here but ffty-five mile:
S from Turtle Mountains, which in
j dicate their proximity by tn,
quantities of good body oak Woo
. from their slopes, for sale here a
: So per cord. This country beins
o heretofore remote from the rail
d road, has settled more slowly thai
other sections, the population b,
the last census being $50 nearly al
o in the southern part. Public LAM
5. is abundant, and can easily b
II had within two or three miles o
Il the county seat. Whole township
- of land in the north part of tn
Z county, OF the best quality, havt
$ not an acre taken. Lake De-
l. Roches, twenty-five miles nortl
of Cando, is twenty miles long b.
two or three wide, and many goo
70 farms can be taken along it
Is banks. Returning, we curved on
5. to the west, to get out to the lin
.s of settlement and see the publ
lands. We found the country de
4 cidedly more undulating than tina
I'd passed over in the morning
ut though with the exception of
ST boulder here and there, the sol
o seems quite as good. Lakes ar
o met at frequent intervals and ha
rs meadows Iare on nearly ever
quarter section. With the railroa
- now assured, and within two G
le three miles distance, the end c
lie the coming'year will doubtless Sc
nd much OF this land taken by sturd
ID farmers from the East, bent o
= securing themselves homes in
country where land equal to tn
u best to be had in their eountr
is can be had for the asking.